Vantaggi
Amazing first job. It thought me how to connect with customers and give them the best service possible. I no longer have problems initiating a conversation both in and out of work, huge pro. The first month was extremely hard for me because it was my first job, but you will get the hang of it in the first weeks. As a matter of fact, as a trainee, the first day I made about $6, then $12, then $20. I earned about $20 to $45 each day for the next two weeks. Once I got the hang of it I started getting much more money. (some people learn slow, other learn fast... I happened to be a slow learner during the first two weeks). Amazing schedule for students and for everyone for that matter. Working there was extremely flexible. Tips were good for hard workers. You could make some $40 to $90 per day IN TIPS during the mornings, (depending on the day, like weekdays vs weekends) but it all depended on how hard you worked for your tips. You still get your $2.14/hr biweekly though. So that is a plus. It's not that much though, as it can range between some $40 to $120. I think about going back all the time but I try to never go look back and move forward. I'd probably go back if management would become more strict.
Svantaggi
Slow paced in the afternoon and at night, which could be a huge advantage if there aren't that many servers fighting for the tables and if those servers are friendly. If you worked in the morning, which is more fast-paced, then you decide to move to the night schedule, you will dominate the floor as the best server. The best servers are in the morning. As a morning server: you will learn the computer to input orders like the back of your hand; you will learn how to defuse problems with customers much better in the morning schedule; and learn from the best servers that work in the morning. Moreover, the first two weeks may be extremely hard if you don't have experience but you can get the hang of it really fast if you talk to experienced servers. In addition, side work may be too much at first but it becomes a habit and you'll be able to do it in no time after you are cut. For some servers, side work still is the hardest part of the day (cleaning up your tables and your designated section inside the galley). So this can be either a con or a pro because you can either complain about side work because it became too messy to clean up at the end of the day, OR you can get it done when you get there in the morning and just restock as you go throughout the day and simply clean up at the end. EXTRA INFORMATION (EXPO) Don't bother the expo. She/he is the most important asset to the restaurant after the manager covering the floor for any problems. Don't talk directly to the cooks, talk to your expo. She/he knows the menu front and back. The stress he/she gets is can be really serious. Make sure you tip him. Without him, you are not getting your customers order. She/he is like the server of the servers. There is so much about the expo that it can't all be explained. She/he has to keep calm under pressure, know all orders, table numbers, ticket times, specific food ingredients, make quick decisions, solve problems, be clean and extremely organized, talk to the cooks, the runners, the servers, the managers, and other staff as necessary, as so much more. But above all, the expo must have extremely strong communication skills.